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Is A.J. Johnson a candidate for SEC Defensive Player of the Year?
By Jason Hall
Published:
A.J. Johnson is off of the best start of his career. Through four games, Johnson has a team-best 46 tackles and is averaging 11.5 per game. The senior linebacker has recorded back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, but had a previous four-game best of 31 tackles in 2012.
Johnson ranks second in the conference in total tackles and is coming off a career-best 17-tackle performance in a Week 5 loss to No. 13 Georgia. He is on pace to surpass his already impressive single-season totals and could finish as the conference’s top linebacker. But does the senior stand a chance to win SEC Defensive Player of the Year?
At his current rate, Johnson poses a strong candidacy to win the award. However, Tennessee must win for the linebacker to be considered for the award.
Here’s a list of the previous winners since 2013:
2013 | Michael Sam* | Missouri | 31 Solo, 17 Ast, 11.5 Sk |
2012 | Jarvis Jones* | Georgia | 52 Solo, 33 Ast, 14.5 Sk, 1 Int |
2011 | Morris Claiborne* | Louisiana State | 32 Solo, 19 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 6 Int |
2010 | Patrick Peterson* | Louisiana State | 29 Solo, 13 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 4 Int |
2009 | Rolando McClain* | Alabama | 53 Solo, 52 Ast, 4.0 Sk, 2 Int |
2008 | Eric Berry | Tennessee | 7 Att, 37 Yds, 5.3 Avg, 0 TD |
2007 | Glenn Dorsey* | Louisiana State | 34 Solo, 35 Ast, 7.0 Sk, 0 Int |
2006 | Patrick Willis | Mississippi | 87 Solo, 50 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 0 Int |
2005 | Demeco Ryans* | Alabama | 41 Solo, 35 Ast, 5.0 Sk, 1 Int |
2004 | David Pollack* | Georgia | 47 Solo, 45 Ast, 8.0 Sk, 2 Int |
2003 | Chad Lavalais* | Louisiana State | 1 Int, -5 Yds, 0 TD |
Since 2003, Patrick Willis is the only player to win the award while playing for a team with a losing record. There are several other candidates that pose a threat to Johnson thus far.
Missouri’s Shane Ray leads the SEC with 7.0 sacks. Ray also has 30 total tackles, including two for loss, from the defensive end position. His teammate, Michael Scherer, is the only player with more tackles than Johnson (50). Scherer is also the only player other than Johnson to average 10 or more tackles a game.
However, Missouri has yet to see a bye week, while Johnson has played in one less game than the Tigers.
It’s too early to name a clear cut favorite for the award in Week 6. However, at his current pace, Johnson poses a strong candidacy for SEC Defensive Player of the Year and should be in consideration at the end of the season.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky